The Girl You Gave Away by Jess Ryder

Author:Jess Ryder [Ryder, Jess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838881931
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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A few days later, I feel a dull pain in my lower back. I put it down to general pregnancy aches at first, and take the day off school. Dad goes into work and Mum pops out for a mid-morning coffee with a friend. I’m left alone in my room, lying on my bed with my feet up, my bump forming a nice book rest while I try to scribble an essay for English homework.

But the odd feeling continues. The ache comes and goes in waves. I feel a bit sick, and can’t face the thought of eating. I get up and rummage in my desk drawer for a pregnancy leaflet. Under ‘Signs of Labour’, it says that I may first feel pain or discomfort in my back rather than my stomach.

Is this what’s happening? Am I in labour? It’s too early, surely, even going by my disputed dates. I start to sweat. Should I call an ambulance? I don’t know what to do. I’m on my own with no way of contacting Mum. There’ll be a work phone number for Dad somewhere, though it’s only for emergencies. But this is an emergency, isn’t it? At least it might be.

I stretch out, hoping for relief. But this isn’t normal backache; the pains are definitely there, coming and going, gradually increasing in intensity.

I go downstairs and pick up the phone, fingers trembling as I contemplate dialling 999. But I can’t do it. What will Mum say if an ambulance turns up, siren blaring, lights flashing, and the neighbours come out of their houses to see what’s going on? She’ll be furious with me. If it’s a false alarm, I could be in trouble for calling them out unnecessarily. I’m just a silly kid; nobody’s going to take me seriously. It’s way too early. I haven’t even packed my hospital bag yet.

But something is happening, I know it. What if the pains get suddenly worse and I have the baby right here on the hallway carpet? I sink to my knees, heart thumping, hot with fear. Then I hear the key turn in the lock. The front door opens and Mum crosses the threshold, a small carrier bag of shopping hooked over her arm. She looks down at me curiously.

‘What are you doing, Erin? Praying for salvation?’ She lets out a wry laugh.

‘Please can we go to the hospital?’ I gasp. ‘I think the baby’s on its way.’

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